664400 Tue Nov 03 11:13:17 -0800 2009 13 12 Boston Area 0 5152459 I'm meeting a blind date for dinner at Erbaluce. It's a Sunday 7pm reservation. Thinking about meeting for drinks beforehand. Is there a good place close by, is this a bad idea? Should we just have drinks at Erbaluce? The Four Seasons? Should I get cold feet and back out of the whole thing? Tue Nov 03 11:13:17 -0800 2009 196033 justbeingpolite 1 5152574 How about the lobby bar of the new W Hotel? Looks pretty nice, and is close to Erbaluce. Tue Nov 03 11:47:48 -0800 2009 5152459 177848 purple bot 1 5152593 The cocktails at the bar at Grille 23 are pretty nice. That will give you a nice little walk to dinner, and a chance to get some air, or run away real fast. Hope things work out. Enjoy, CocoDan Tue Nov 03 11:54:03 -0800 2009 5152459 12643 CocoDan 2 5153170 Thanks for the suggestions. Is the W hotel about 5 blocks away? How about the bar at the Park Plaza, any opinions on that? Tue Nov 03 14:36:59 -0800 2009 5152593 196033 justbeingpolite 3 5153197 The bar at Davios across the street is much better. Tue Nov 03 14:43:19 -0800 2009 5153170 11052 BBHound 4 5153210 Thanks for the tip. Better than the other suggestions as well? Tue Nov 03 14:46:08 -0800 2009 5153197 196033 justbeingpolite 1 5153728 I don't know anything about blind dates, nor do I know much about Erbaluce, other than my one visit, the bartender was a great bartendar and completely engaging, so maybe you should just stick to one venue. I look forward to returning. Tue Nov 03 18:02:12 -0800 2009 5152459 23130 gyppielou 1 5153751 Perhaps you should skip the predinner cocktail and go to Lespalier for dessert if things go well. Tue Nov 03 18:13:34 -0800 2009 5152459 23130 gyppielou 1 5153935 Erbaluce has nice drinks within the limits of its beer/wine/cordial license, and a pleasant, quiet, smallish bar. If proximity is key, I'd suggest the bar at Via Matta, which is very close, has competent bartenders, and has full liquor. If the main bar is packed, don't overlook the enoteca, a second, almost always quieter bar to the left of the main bar. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Tue Nov 03 19:49:07 -0800 2009 5152459 10143 MC Slim JB 1 5153946 drinks and dinner is a big commitment for a blind date! I'd start with one of erbaluce's interesting cocktails --they are all named for comedia delle arte characters, and a fabulous app at the bar, then if the date is going well move to a table for dinner. Tue Nov 03 19:55:43 -0800 2009 5152459 180763 Wannabfoode 1 5154647 Like others, I would suggest heading to Erbaluce's bar before dinner but if you're looking for someplace a little more lively, I've had great times at the bar at Flemings. Sure there's the occasional steakhouse cougar (you know what I'm talking about if you've ever sat at a bar at a steakhouse) but the bartenders are friendly and the drinks are solid. Wed Nov 04 07:06:48 -0800 2009 5152459 429926 CreativeFoodie42 2 5154871 Thanks again for the suggestions, folks. Maybe I'll give my DC the option of the bar at Erbabluce or Via Matta. Wed Nov 04 08:15:56 -0800 2009 5154647 196033 justbeingpolite 3 5160577 Via Matta's basil lime gimlets are to die for. Fri Nov 06 07:13:29 -0800 2009 5154871 119167 ginafly 4 5166732 Thanks for all the advice. Was looking forward to the basil lime gimlets, but Via Matta, it turns out, was closed that evening. Whoops! Still had a very, very nice meal at Erbaluce. What a nice place! Like a tiny piece of the North End tucked in among all those corporate buildings. Very quiet on a Sunday evening, but they said they'd been packed on Friday and Saturday. They were offering a Nantucket scallop appetizer, with a citrus /cream sauce that was very good. Not usually a big fan of sardines, but DC was, and I really enjoyed them. the boar chops were great, well cooked, medium rare with kale (i think) and a not too sweet concord grape sauce. DC had a good past dish, ravioli like. again a citrissy sauce. The cheese platter was really good, mostly italian cheese, a blue, and triple cream, and two harder cheeses, all very good. Quiet nice, so chef Draghi came out and chatted with us for awhile at the end of the evening as well as sending us a little bowl of fruit and chocolates. The waiter as well, was charming and helpful. Really good experience. Thanks for your help Mon Nov 09 07:13:49 -0800 2009 5160577 196033 justbeingpolite